On Tuesday, Canadian tennis sensation Gabriela Dabrowski bravely disclosed that she has undergone two surgeries to combat breast cancer, a diagnosis she received back in April.
The accomplished three-time Grand Slam doubles champion took to social media to share her powerful journey, candidly revealing that she competed through her diagnosis during a remarkable year, which saw her earn a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.
“I understand this may surprise many, but I am doing well and I will continue to do well,” Dabrowski expressed in her heartfelt Instagram message. “Early detection saves lives, and I can wholeheartedly attest to that.”
For several months, Dabrowski chose to keep her diagnosis private, as she felt unprepared to face the barrage of questions and attention that would inevitably come.
The 32-year-old from Ottawa revealed that she has come to realize she is part of “something much greater than myself,” using Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October to advocate for early detection and a healthy lifestyle.
Dabrowski noted that she is now more informed about her treatment journey, including its side effects and how to navigate them effectively.
By sharing her narrative, she aims to highlight the importance of early detection and how it can help maintain a high quality of life.
“Initially, I was scared that cancer would define me forever. I no longer feel that way,” she shared. “It is a privilege to refer to myself as a survivor.”
Dabrowski first noticed a lump in her left breast during a self-examination in spring 2023; however, a physician later dismissed her concerns.
As time passed, she felt the lump expand, prompting a WTA doctor to recommend she undergo further scans following a physical evaluation.
After a series of examinations, a radiologist flagged the lump as concerning and urgently scheduled a biopsy for the next day.
“I received the preliminary results that same day: cancer,” she recounted. “Those are words you never anticipate hearing, and in a heartbeat, your world and that of your loved ones can flip upside down.”
Dabrowski displayed extraordinary resilience, ensuring that cancer would not hinder her performance on the court.
Following a three-month break after her loss in the Miami Open doubles final in late March, she made her triumphant return at the Nottingham Open in June, clinching victory alongside New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe.
Just two weeks prior, she struggled to serve due to limited mobility, requiring assistance from a coach to toss the ball.
Dabrowski also postponed certain treatment procedures to allow her to participate in Wimbledon in July and the Paris Olympics in August.
She collaborated with Routliffe to reach the final at Wimbledon and eventually secured the Olympic bronze in mixed doubles alongside Montreal’s Félix Auger-Aliassime. Dabrowski capped off her impressive season by winning the doubles title at the end-of-year WTA Finals with Routliffe.
“A powerful reminder that everyone has their own battles,” Routliffe reflected on Instagram. “Here’s to more smiles in 2025!”
Dabrowski reflected on how her journey profoundly reshaped her outlook on life and her professional career.
“When the possibility of losing everything I’ve worked for became a tangible reality, I learned to genuinely value what I have,” she noted. “Loving parents, supportive friends, incredible coaches, a loyal doubles partner, a dedicated team, access to health care, and the unique opportunity to play a game for a living.”
“My mindset has transitioned from ‘I have to do this’ (play tennis and utilize my skills) to ‘I get to do this.’ This new perspective makes it much easier to discover joy in aspects of my life that I previously perceived as burdens.”
